“I could probably eat burnt testicle or whatever it is they serve up, but you wouldn’t catch me getting covered in scorpions. I hate creepy crawlies.

“The fact that the opportunity is at least there is quite nice in a way, because I couldn’t have gone on as first minister. You’re very limited in what you can do, I’m not complaining about that aspect of the job but there are certainly more projects in my sights now I’m no longer elected.

“I can never see myself slowing down because it’s not in my nature and my mum and dad didn’t bring me up like that.”

The former SNP leader is appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe in August.

Mr Salmond said his lunchtime show in the ballroom of the Assembly Rooms in George Street will be about “politics, sport, life, showbiz” and is promising stories from behind the scenes, but insists he is not out to “dish the dirt” on anyone.